To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow

By Taylor Pratt, GHWIC Project Coordinator | July 2026

Audrey Hepburn once said, “to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” There is something profound about that idea, the act of putting seeds into the ground is an act of faith. As spring gives way to summer, a lot of people step outside to get in the backyard and garden. Preparing for harvest is something I take joy in. Not just for what it gives but what it teaches. I love bringing my kids out with me, putting tools in their hands and dirt under their fingernails, the same way my Auput, my grandfather, once did for me. He would take me into the garden and show me how to grow traditional corn, Pawnee watermelon, and beans, seeds that our Pawnee people carried with them from Nebraska when they were removed from their lands. In that way, every garden we plant is its own kind of tomorrow. And for many in our communities that tomorrow is urgent.

That urgency is real; food insecurity is a key issue in our communities. One of the goals within the GHWIC initiative is healthy, traditional food. Many of our tribal diabetes partners are implementing community gardens.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are no strangers to growing their own food. During a previous round of GHWIC, they organized a porch garden that planted the first seeds of what has now grown into something bigger. Today they are reviving and expanding that effort with a new community garden that is still in the early stages of development. Right now, the focus is on bringing more community members into the project and continuing to develop the garden for the future. There are 11 raised beds in the garden in addition to grow bags. A plan was made for which types of crops would be planted, including corn, squash, onions, and tomatoes, in addition to plans to include flower planting and education on gardening and composting. They are collaborating with the Native Farming Solutions organization to provide participants with practical experience in gardening and composting.

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma

Further along that journey, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma garden is already in full bloom. They have grown from 20 to 36 beds and added a greenhouse where they can garden year-round. On Earth Day, gardening kits, seeds, and pine trees were given out along with educational information from the OSU Extension Office. Their garden consists of traditional plants used by their ancestors, such as sage, sweet grass, and traditional tobacco. An interactive sign with QR codes helps visitors learn more about each plant and its cultural significance. The produce harvested is shared among elders, who also receive healthy meals, cooking recipes, and diabetes-prevention lessons. The diabetes program notes that gardening does more than feed people, it improves mental, spiritual, and physical health, preserves culture, and moves communities toward self-sufficiency.

Texas Native Health

Texas Native Health has also embraced the power of community green space to support the well-being of its members. While TNH no longer maintains an active community garden, the space has evolved into a vibrant, multi-purpose gathering area accessible to TNH programs and community members alike. The garden area now serves as a flexible outdoor venue for a wide range of activities, including camps, stickball practices and demonstrations, farmers and art markets, and outdoor yoga. By opening the space to these diverse uses, TNH has created a welcoming environment where community members can stay active, build social connections, and engage in positive, healthy activities. These opportunities support overall wellness and help reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease, demonstrating that a community space can continue to nourish its people in meaningful ways even beyond its original purpose.

Conclusion

Community gardens and gathering spaces like these are doing more than growing food, they are helping preserve culture, strengthen families, and promote healthier living within tribal communities. Through traditional food, gardening education, and community involvement, these efforts are building opportunities for future generations to reconnect with their roots and support wellness and food security.

Please visit https://spthb.org/program/good-health-and-wellness-in-indian-country/ to learn more about Good Health and Wellness in Indian County (GHWIC) and opportunities in your area!

GHWIC